What About Your Friends?

“Some friends are fun to be with, but a true friend can be better than a brother.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18:24‬ ‭ERV‬‬

When I was a teenager and gained a circle of friends my mom said to me:” Shan friends come far and few between, be careful about who you call your friend “. I heard her in that moment but didn’t get the full understanding of her words until I became an adult. I’m not saying that there’s anything wrong with having friends or being ‘friendly ‘. On the contrary. In fact the Bible speaks about friends and friendship on several occasions. I’m simply asking the question : What about your friends?

Friends are a very integral part of our support systems. In a world so full of chaos and volatility, we all need a strong support system to depend on. Yes, God is our truest friend and you’d do well to remember that always. Still in times when you need an earthy friend – only a real friend will do.

I’m an outgoing person and I’ve always had friends. In fact I celebrate all of my trusty friends who’ve been there for me in good times and bad. People that I’ve known for years and people who have shown themselves to be friends through and through.

However, there are those people that I put into the ‘acquaintance ‘ category better known as ‘fair – weather friends ‘. The Bible speaks on this subject as well. “Every friend declares friendship, but there are friends who are friends in name only.” ‭‭Ben Sira (Ecclesiastes) 37:1 These are the ones that disappear when you get into a battle or you go through hardships.

I remember when my condition progressed and I was not physically able to ‘go ‘ like I used to. The circle of friends that I had at the time began to dwindle slowly but surely. Even the church friends stopped calling me when the surgeries and extended rehab (nursing homes) stays started . Yes I was hurt by it but I also had the support of my other friends. Truer friends that I came to appreciate more. I had learned to be grateful for my real friends and to ‘be careful about who I called friend ‘.

Listen, we all need friends. Friends who will tell us what we need to hear and not what we want to hear. In other words, someone who’ll tell you the truth when it’s hard to do so. Think about the things you’ve been through and who had your back when you were going through it. The person that calls you for no other reason than just to say hi and to see how you’re doing- that’s a real friend. Everyone that is your Facebook friend doesn’t count as a real friend. Sorry, but I had to say that.
Don’t forget that friendship is not a one way street. The Bible says that ‘he that has friends must first show himself/herself friendly ‘. Be a good friend and cherish every friendship like the gift of God that it is. It’s great when my friend Lisa and I just spend hours with each other on the phone. Still I pray for her and her family and she does the same for me. When I awoke from a coma Lisa was one of the faces that I saw other than my husband and family. I value her friendship so much that I lovingly call her Big Sis. She’s not my only friend but she is the only one that I call Big Sis. Everyone deserves to have a friend who garners that type of love and respect

Today I hope that you’ll be grateful for your friendships. Even the friends that are also family because family doesn’t always mean friend. Call the friend who’s having some issues and encourage them. Express your gratitude to your friends that came to your rescue when you needed them. Even if you don’t have the time to call them, a text message is just as good- as long as you don’t become a ‘digital friend ‘. Above all make sure connect with your Eternal Friend – with Him you can bow your head quicker than you can make a phone call to someone else.

Have a Great Day and celebrate your friends!

As Ever ,

LaShandri

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I'm a writer, blogger and the author of book Facing Goliath. Licensed & Ordained 96 National Chaplains Association. Christian and unapologetically Democrat. Widow, daughter and the sister of two extraordinary gentlemen.
For the past 27 years I have battled a chronic autoimmune disease called Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis. As a result, I've had 13 surgeries and been in and out of rehab (nursing homes) since the age of 26. I've also been addicted to alcohol and abused my opioid pain medication. Of course I had a good mix of sunshine and rain. Eventually somewhere along the way I came to realize that God had a better life intended for me. That's when I stopped being overwhelmed and started overcoming! Since then I have experienced more joy and peace than I could've ever expected. That's also when I realized that my mess was my message.
My message ( or at least my focus ) is that of overcoming adversity in the Christian life and communicating the advantages of hardship and obstacles. I believe that my life has given me a unique perspective on the subject. This is the mission that the Lord has given me : to enlighten, inspire and encourage others. I'm a spiritual being having an earthly experience ! So that means that it's important for us not to be so spiritually minded that we're of no earthly good! Simply put I want to have a positive impact on people's lives by sharing love (not judgement). As Muhammed Ali said 'doing good is the price you pay for the life you have on earth '(paraphrased). If I was given the choice of being a millionaire over being able to positively change lives of others - I'd choose the latter because you can't put a value on the eternal benefits of a life in the service of Christ.
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3 thoughts on “What About Your Friends?”

It’s with gratitude that I see the circle of friends that I have with my spiritual eyes and see that their placement in my life was orchestrated by God. In love, I’m honest with them even when I know my message may wound them and I expect the same in return. That’s trust, love, and true friendship. Great message.